Archive
2012 year, issue 5 read »
2011 year, issue 6 read »
«Narodoznavchi Zoshyty» 2016 year, issue 2 read »
The Ethnology Notebooks. 2022. #3 (165). P. 523-744 DOI... read »

« 2026. № 5 (191)

The Ethnology Notebooks. 2026. № 5 (191), 1386—1396

UDK 94(477.82)”18/19″:316.3:061.27

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/

  • Received: 22.09.2026
  • Accepted: 27.10.2026
  • Published: ??.??.2026

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PATRONAGE ACTIVITIES OF THE LANDED NOBILITY OF VOLHYNIA AT THE TURN OF THE 20th CENTURY

SHAKHRAI Tetiana

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7496-1735
  • Candidate of Historical Sciences (PhD in History),
  • Senior Research Fellow, Head of the Laboratory
  • of National and Patriotic Education and International Relations,
  • Nizhyn Agrotechnical Institute,
  • National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine,
  • 10, Shevchenka str., 16600, Nizhyn, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: e-mail: tata4-10@ukr.net

Abstract. The article examines the phenomenon of social responsibility and charitable practices among the landed nobility and entrepreneurial elite of Volhynia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It analyses the economic preconditions for philanthropy, the forms of organisation of factory-based and zemstvo healthcare, and the individual contributions of prominent representatives of the regional elite (F. Steingel, I. de Chaudoir, the Tereshchenko family, G. Rein, P. Paslavskyi, among others) to the development of medical infrastructure, museums, education, and the Ukrainian national and political movement.

Object of the study — the social activities of the landed nobility and entrepreneurial elite of Volhynia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Subject of the study — the forms, areas, and specific features of social responsibility and patronage activities undertaken by representatives of the Volhynian elite in healthcare, education, culture, and public life.

Scientific novelty of the study lies in a comprehensive examination of the social responsibility and patronage activities of the landed nobility and entrepreneurial elite of Volhynia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The principal areas of their charitable and public activities in healthcare, education, culture, and museum development are systematised, and the transition from individual charitable acts to the establishment and financing of permanent social, cultural, and educational institutions is traced. Through an analysis of the activities of F. Steingel, I. de Chaudoir, the Tereshchenko family, G. Rein, P. Paslavskyi, and other representatives of the regional elite, the study reveals the interrelationship between economic resources, individual philanthropic initiatives, and public activity within the processes of Volhynia’s sociocultural modernisation.

Research methodology. The methodological framework of the study is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, systematic analysis, and critical evaluation of historical sources. The research employs both general scientific and specialised historical methods. Analysis and synthesis are used to process and generalise historiographical and source materials; the historical-genetic method is applied to trace the emergence and development of charitable and patronage practices; the historical-comparative method is used to compare the areas and forms of public activity undertaken by representatives of the Volhynian elite; the problem-chronological method serves to systematise the material and identify changes in the nature of social welfare at the turn of the 20th century; and the biographical method is employed to analyse the contributions of individual representatives of the landed nobility and entrepreneurial elite. The integrated application of these methods makes it possible to examine patronage and social responsibility in relation to the economic, social, and cultural processes that took place in Volhynia during the period under study.

Practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using its findings in further research on the socioeconomic and cultural history of Volhynia, the history of charity and patronage in Ukraine, and the activities of regional elites in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The materials presented in the article may also be used in the preparation of university courses and teaching materials on the history of Ukraine and local history, in museum and educational activities, and in the development of thematic exhibitions, lectures, and educational projects.

Keywords: Volhynia, social responsibility, patronage, zemstvo medicine, charity, cultural and educational initiatives.

REFERENCES

  • Makhorin, H.L. (2007). Charitable activities in Volyn (1793—1917): Historical aspect. (Candidate of Historical Sciences dissertation). Luhansk [in Ukrainian].
  • Hrymaliuk, O. (2018). Charitable activities of the Orthodox clergy and the public in Volyn in the 19th — early 20th centuries. Eminak, 2 (2) (22), 22—26 [in Ukrainian].
  • Surovtseva, I. (2006). Patronage in Ukraine in the second half of the 19th — early 20th centuries. (Candidate of Historical Sciences dissertation). Donetsk [in Ukrainian].
  • Myronets, N.R. (2005). Baron F.R. Shteingel — a representative of the Volyn branch of the Russian-German Shteingel family. Ukrainska biohrafistyka, 3, 112—124 [in Ukrainian].
  • Vasylchuk, V. (2022). The place of Baron Fedir Rudolfovych Shteingel in the history of Ukrainian state-building. Visnyk Kyivskoho natsionalnoho linhvistychnoho universytetu. Seriia: Istoriia, ekonomika, filosofiia (Issue 27). DOI: 10.32589/2412-9321.27.2022.276197 [in Ukrainian].
  • Bulyha, O.S. (Ed.). (2010). Scientific notes. To the 140th anniversary of the birth of Fedir Shteingel (Issue 8). Rivne: O. Zen [in Ukrainian].
  • Kovalynskyi, V. (1995). Patrons of Kyiv. Kyiv: Severyn-pres; Kobza [in Ukrainian].
  • (1915). Monthly statement on the number of patients in the hospital of the Chervonsky sugar factory for 1915. TsDIAK Ukrainy. F. 830. Op. 1. Spr. 1159 [in Ukrainian].
  • Tkachenko, O.V. (1998). Entrepreneurial and patronage activities of the Tereshchenko family in Ukraine (1861—1917). (Candidate of Historical Sciences dissertation). Kyiv [in Ukrainian].
  • Lebed-Yurchik, Kh.M. (1909). Sugar industry in Russia. Kiev: Tip. I.I. Chokolova [in Ukrainian].
  • Reient, O. P., & Serdiuk, O. V. (2011). Silske hospodarstvo Ukrainy i svitovyi prodovolchyi rynok (1861–1914 rr.) [Agriculture of Ukraine and the World Food Market (1861–1914)]. Kyiv: Institute of History of Ukraine, NAS of Ukraine. 365 p.URL:https://history.org.ua/LiberUA/978-966-02-5827-3/978-966-02-5827-3.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com (Last accessed:5. 09.2026) [in Ukrainian].
  • (1895). Reports and statements on the expenses for maintaining the hospital located on Baron Shteingel’s estate in the village of Horodok. TsDIAK Ukrainy. F. 336. Op. 1. Spr. 35 [in Ukrainian].
  • Stoliarenko, M.P. (2002). A word about Horodok: Memoirs of a local historian. Rivne: Azaliia [in Ukrainian].
  • Shpizel, R. (2000). Petro Paslavskyi (1861—1943). In: Ostroh educators of the 16th—20th centuries (Pp. 448—453). Ostroh: Ostrozka Akademiia [in Ukrainian].
  • Shpizel, R. (2000). Heorhii Rein (1854—1942). In: Ostroh educators of the 16th—20th centuries (Pp. 443—447). Ostroh: Ostrozka Akademiia [in Ukrainian].
  • Bykov, N.P. (1915). The Ostroh princes and Volyn. Introduction to a historical essay. Petrohrad: Typ. V. Kyrshbauma [in Ukrainian].
  • Doroshenko, D. (1969). My memories of the recent past (1914—1920). From the beginnings of the revival of Ukrainian statehood (Part 2). Miunkhen [in Ukrainian].
  • Biliashivskyi, M. (1898). A few words about the foundation of the Horodok Museum of Volyn Governorate: Report of the Horodok Museum of Volyn Governorate of Baron F.R. Shteingel for the first year from November 25, 1896 to November 25, 1897. Warshava [in Ukrainian].
  • Shakhrai, T.O. (2007). Contribution of the noble-landowning stratum of Volyn to Ukrainian and European science and culture. Naukovyi visnyk Volynskoho derzhavnoho universytetu imeni Lesi Ukrainky, 1, 176—180 [in Ukrainian].
  • Mykhailova, R.D. (2003). F. Shteingel’s Museum and its traditions. Kyiv i kyiany, 3, 365—379 [in Ukrainian].
  • Mykhailova, R.D. (2001). Fedir Shteingel: Personality and scholar. Culture of Ukraine in the 21st century: Activities of cultural institutions in modern market conditions (Proceedings of the Regional Scientific and Practical Conference) (Pp. 80—84). Kyiv; Rivne [in Ukrainian].
  • Biliashivskyi, M. (1912). The Peasant Art of Ukraine. London: The Studio.
  • Biliashivskyi, M.F. (2017). Ukrainian folk art / The Peasant Art of Ukraine. Kharkiv: Vydavets Oleksandr Savchuk [in Ukrainian].
  • Circulars of the Police Department on the activities of the bourgeois Cadet Party. Lists of deputies of the State Duma of the I—IV convocations who belonged to this party. (1914—1917). TsDIAK Ukrainy. F. 274. Op. 5. Spr. 31 [in Ukrainian].
  • Chykalenko, Ye. (2003). Memoirs (1861—1907): Documentary and literary edition. Kyiv: Tempora [in Ukrainian].
  • (1906). Correspondence with the Volyn Governor, assistant chief of the Volyn Gendarmerie Administration and other persons concerning the political investigation of persons suspected of agitation among peasants for the seizure of landowners’ lands and on other issues. TsDIAK Ukrainy. F. 1335. Op. 1. Spr. 568 [in Ukrainian].
  • Lototskyi, O. (1934). Pages of the past (Vol. 3). Warshava: Pratsi Ukrainskoho naukovoho instytutu [in Ukrainian].
  • Doroshenko, D. (2002). History of Ukraine, 1917—1923. The period of the Central Rada (Vol. 1). Uzhhorod; Kyiv: Tempora [in Ukrainian].
  • (1906). Correspondence with the Volyn Governor concerning former member of the First State Duma Baron Shteingel, who was accused of making anti-government speeches before the peasants of Horodok, Rivne district, Volyn Governorate. TsDIAK Ukrainy. F. 442. Op. 856. Spr. 427 [in Ukrainian].
  • Chykalenko, Ye. (2004). Diary (1907—1917): Documentary and literary edition (Vol. 1: 1907—1917). Kyiv: Tempora [in Ukrainian].
  • (1880). Remarks on the article «The City of Rovno» published in «Volyn Diocesan Gazette» in 1880 № 5 and a supplement to it. Volynskiie eparkhialnyie vedomosti, 25, 1134—1153 [in Ukrainian].
  • Teodorovych, M.I. (1889). Historical and statistical description of the churches and parishes of the Volyn Diocese. Rivne, Ostroh and Dubno districts (Vol. 2). Pochaiv [in Ukrainian].
  • (1909, June 13). On the construction of a monument on the Cossack graves. Pochaevskie izvestiia, 780, 1 [in Ukrainian].
Our authors
Yaroslav Taras. Head of Department, Professor, Doctor... read »
Babii Nadiia. DSc in Art Studies, Professor. Vasyl... read »
Olena Nykorak. Senior Researcher, Doctor of Arts read »
Ulana Movna. Senior Research Fellow, Ph.D. in History. read »
On bessarabian and moldavian ukrainians in the studies of historical ethnography
The article has thrown some light upon a sum of scientific findings got during XIX to XXI cc. in historio-ethnographic studies of Bessarabia and Moldavian Ukrainians. In the pre­sent paper has been given author’s answer to the problem of lacking progress as for the numerous themes concerning Ukrainians. State and achievements of the research-works in Ukrainians’ material and spiritual culture by the scientists of Moldavia and Ukraine through the years of independence has been exposed.
Read »

Boikos’ pandemonium: categories of evil deceased
In the article have been presented some research-work on peculiarities of Boikos’ traditional demonological notions as for so-called evil deceased; on the basis of field records and ethnological literary sources quite a number of scum categories have been defined as well as essential habits, modes of behavior and functions of these personages of people’s demonology.
Read »

On field exploration of russian and belarusian ethnologists and etnolinguists in Ukrainian Polisia 1945—1980s
In the study based on a wide range of literary materials have been comprehensively characterised field research in Polisia of Ukraine, performed by Russian and Belarusian ethnologists during 1945—1980s as well as Moscow ethnolinguists and other researchers from ethnologic centres of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in the course of realization of Ethnolinguistic Atlas of Polisia program. Particular attention has been paid to geography, methods, themes and research results of scientific projects.
Read »

Daily bread baking of ukrainians in the south-western ethnographical region at the late XIX to early XXI cc.
The paper has dealt with analytic study in prescriptions, signs, customs, methods, ways of selection, procurement and some peculiarities in usage of subsidiary means — water, firewood and leaves in bread baking. The final aim of the mentioned actions had been (and still is) selection of the means and ingredients fit, by their characteristics, for the backing of bread. The paper has demonstrated dependence of bread backing subsi­diary means criteria from the folk nutritional standards and world outlook stereotypes as well as from regional social and economic, natural and geographical factors and peculiarities of material culture.
Read »